1. Overview
2. Hamburger History
3. Big Burger Brands
4. Cooking Instructions
5. Plating Ideas
6. Clean-up
7. Junkie Lifestyle Tip

Overview

It’s burger time! First of all, when I think of burgers they remind me of family, friends, fresh summer air, and that memorable charcoal smell. However, as times changed and the world got faster, waiting for those charcoal pellets to hit the right temperature was excruciating. We evolved to gas grills and cut that time exponentially, but still had to brave the outdoor weather to get that tasty burger. Enter the air fryer. Now we can eliminate the wait and take our patties out of the freezer and make a delicious air fryer frozen burger in just 15 minutes!

We can just drop these frozen hamburger patties in our air fryer basket and we’re off and running! Let’s take a minute to learn a little more about the burger and famous burger brands.

A little hamburger history

I think the history of food is important - and fun - so let’s learn a little bit about the burger before we dive into enjoying a delicious air fryer frozen burger. And a quick side note, if your a food lover I highly recommend watching The Food That Built America on the History Channel. It’s educational, yet fascinating. Check out the trailer below.

According to whatscookingamerica.net In the late eighteenth century, the largest ports in Europe were in Germany. Sailors who had visited the ports of Hamburg,  Germany, and New York, brought this food and the term “Hamburg Steak” into popular usage. To attract German sailors, eating stands along the New York city harbor offered “steak cooked in the Hamburg style.” You can read the entire article here.

We can compete with big burger brands

Everybody loves a delicious burger, but whose burger reigns supreme? It’s all about personal preference, right? Some folks are loyal to McDonald’s and their famed golden arches. Others swear by the flame-broiled Burger King patties or the fresh-not-frozen square patties from Wendy’s. East coaster can’t get enough of Shake Shack, west coaster know In & Out Burger is the only fast-food burger in town.

Finally, when we don’t have the time, money, or companionship to grab one of those burgers, we can push a button, spray our air fryer basket, and create an air fryer frozen burger that rivals these heavyweights. Let’s learn how.

Cooking an air fry frozen burger

Needs: Air Fryer, Air Fryer Basket, Frozen Burgers, Cooking Spray, Oil, and Spices

Step 1: Spray

Spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Heat

Preheat your air fryer to 380 for 5 minutes.

NOTE: You have to pre-heat your air fryer for the best results. This will allow you to get a nice, even cook across your frozen burgers. You need the hot air to circulate. You pre-heat your car in the snow, right? Warm up the shower before you jump in? Heat your oil in a frying pan before you drop in your pancake batter? Apply the same thought process here.

Step 3: Arrange

Arrange the frozen burgers in your air fryer basket, allowing for some space between the burger patties. This will ensure the best results. However, all air fryers are not created equal.

6-quart air fryer should be able to hold 4 patties easily. If you need to cook six, arrange in a laddered pattern to allow for the most airflow.

4-quart air fryer should be able to hold 2 patties easily; however, if they require some overlap arrange them diagonally so only a small portion of each tip is covered in the center.

Step 4: Season

Season the tops of the patties once you have them arranged in your basket. You can go traditional and just use salt and pepper on your patties. Some people like an extra kick so add a little Cayenne.

If you are not a spice extra, pre-mixed options work well here too. Mrs. Dash is a grocery store favorite and can make any piece of meat taste better. I prefer RUB SOME, the edgy brand available at Cabela’s super outdoor store. RUB SOME Burger, RUB SOME Chicken, and RUB SOME Butt are a fantastic trio of spices to have available from any beef, poultry, or pork dish.

Step 5: Cook Time

I like to use a cook time that I can easily remember. For my frozen hamburgers, I like to proceed with the 7-7-1 time period.

Cook your air fryer frozen burger for 7 minutes. Open the basket, flip them over, and season. Remember, this side cannot be seasoned initially when the frozen side is placed down. Add your flavoring here so it permeates into the meat.

Cook for another 7 minutes and open the basket. You’ll see a nice, juicy texture. Depending on the size of your burger, you may see a little oozing, which is good! Just scrap that off to the side.

Close the basket for 1 more minute.

If you want cheeseburgers, open the tray, add your cheese, and close for 30 seconds to 1 minute. The residual heat from the air fryer will melt the cheese perfectly. Then pull out your burgers and they’re ready to serve.

NOTE: This recipe is designed to get you a nice, medium cook. However, if you prefer your burgers more well-done, insert a meat thermometer after the second 7 minutes and adjust your cook time up by 1-2 minutes at a time until to get your desired result. Don’t worry if you don’t get it exactly right the first time. Check the internal temperatures below and you’ll be fine. The best way to get it right is to keep trying!

• 125 degrees - rare
• 135 degrees - medium rare
• 145 degrees - medium
• 155 degrees - medium well
• 160 degrees - well done

Plating your air fryer frozen burger

If you watch Food Network you know that plating is everything. I’m a Food Network junkie, hence the name of this blog. We know tradition - grab a plate (ceramic, plastic, paper), open some chips, break out your favorite beverage, and dive right into your juicy air fryer frozen burger creation. Slather on some ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, and get ready to go to town. just spread the elbows, lean forward, and enjoy those big bites.

What if space is an issue? Most of us don’t have a large dining area, especially if we have family and friends running around. How can you create the space, both on the table and on your plate? Try the Pretzel Tower approach. Just like real estate, when they ran out of room, they just started building upward. Add a skewer to your burger and pile the pretzels nice and high. That way you leave plenty of room for other items on the plate, including something healthy too. Make it look fun so those anti-fruit and vegetable dinner companions have no choice but to add healthy food to their platter.

Clean-up is a snap.

It looks great, it tastes great, and now your belly is full. Before you grab the remote or rush into something else, we all dread the meal clean-up. That’s not a problem with air frying. Simply remove your air fry basket, take the basket and the pan to your sink, and rinse it out. No mess here, it’s all self-contained with just a sponge and a Handi Wipe. That’s why a frozen air fryer burger ranks as the perfect burger. Well, ok, it’s a perfectly easy recipe and clean-up.

The junkie lifestyle

I’ll close out all my posts emphasizing the same thing. Air frying is a lifestyle. It’s quick, fun, and casual. Just fry, eat and repeat! Burgers are more than a meal. They’re about family, fun, bonding, and memories. The best burgers are enjoyed with great company. That’s my tip for this post.

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